Refugee, Asylum Over 300 victims of human trafficking in the Swiss asylum system
From 2019 to 2023, the Specialist Unit for Trafficking in Women and Migration of Women (FIZ) supported over 300 victims of human trafficking in the Swiss asylum system. The people receiving advice came to Switzerland from over 65 countries.
20.06.2024, 13:41
SDA
Most of the victims came from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as FIZ announced on Thursday to mark World Refugee Day. 30 victims were minors. The exploitation of the victims took place in 45 different countries. Above all in Italy, Libya, Greece, France and Turkey.
According to FIZ, there is hardly any room for maneuver with regard to the whereabouts in Switzerland of victims of human trafficking who are in the asylum system. In over 80 percent of cases, the "Dublin Regulation" requires a return to the European country in which the person first set foot on European soil and was registered.
The people advised and assisted by FIZ were mainly returned to Italy, Greece and Spain. According to FIZ, victims of human trafficking are often returned to the very countries in which they were exploited.
The project "Comprehensive protection and support for victims of human trafficking in the asylum sector" has been supporting and assisting victims of human trafficking who apply for asylum in Switzerland since 2019. As part of the project, 600 specialists have been trained and sensitized. The project ends this year.
The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Greta) stated that Switzerland does not adequately protect victims. It called for protection through identification by special services, safe accommodation, appropriate care and a residence permit in accordance with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Victim Assistance Act does not provide any corresponding options for victims.
